NPR’s New Top Fundraiser Seeks to Build Collaboration With Local Stations

As a painfully shy little girl, Monique Hanson wanted to connect to other people but struggled to find a way. It was fund-raising that helped her gain a voice.

Selling cookies or raffle tickets for school or clubs she belonged to bolstered her confidence. Fundraising “gave me a vehicle to relate to people in a purposeful way,” Ms. Hanson says. “I felt I didn’t have enough to say, something important to say.”

The courage she built during her childhood has served her well in her 25-year fundraising career, but it will especially be useful in her new position at an organization where the power of a person’s voice is all-important. Ms. Hanson, 49, has been appointed as the chief development officer at National Public Radio.

She was previously senior vice president and chief development officer at the YMCA of the USA, an organization, like NPR, that has many local affiliates. Ms. Hanson calls the transition from the Y to NPR a natural one and draws parallels between the two charities.

“When I look at the Y and NPR, those are two iconic organizations,” she says. “Both growing the individual, both building the individual’s potential, but at the same time, connecting individuals to a larger community.”

It is this spirit of collaboration that made Ms. Hanson the ideal person to lead the radio network’s fundraising, says Gary Knell, NPR’s chief executive. “She has built a history of working collaboratively with local chapters, which is a big part of the ecosystem of public radio,” Mr. Knell says.

Looking Ahead

In leading NPR’s fundraising, Ms. Hanson fills a role previously held by Ron Schiller, the group’s former senior vice president of development.

Mr. Schiller was the target last year of a sting operation by a conservative activist group that secretly videotaped him expressing negative opinions of Tea Party members to a pair of men who claimed to be prospective NPR donors. The release of the tape prompted Mr. Schiller to resign immediately, and NPR’s leader, Vivian Schiller (no relation), also stepped down.

Since then, fundraising has been led by Mr. Knell and staff members. The numbers are encouraging, according to the organization: Overall, revenue for NPR’s national office, not including local stations, is up 5 percent from the last fiscal year, from $20.3-million to $21.3-million.

Ms. Hanson says she believes NPR has restored its credibility after the scandal and that she is focused on what lies ahead for NPR.

“I am looking to the future 110 percent,” she says. “The development department is so strong, I am really looking forward to building out that team a little more.”

She joins NPR early next month and is busy preparing for a move from Chicago to Washington. Since being hired, she has been inundated by well-wishers enthusiastically sharing their stories about their experiences with public radio.

Such stories remind her of good advice once given to her by a former supervisor. “It’s not enough to be a good fundraiser,” Ms. Hanson says. “You have to reach out, convene people, lift the collective body of knowledge in fundraising, and create a stronger foundation for the organization itself.”

About Ms. Hanson

Education: B.A., history, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee

Career highlights: Senior vice president and chief development officer at the YMCA of the USA; senior director of development at the Alzheimer’s Association

Salary: Not disclosed

Favorite NPR shows: “Morning Edition” and “Car Talk”